People

Karla Goldman's research focuses on the history of the American Jewish experience with special attention to the history of American Jewish communities and the evolving roles and contributions of American Jewish women. She directs the University of Michigan Jewish Communal Leadership Program, a collaborative effort between the School of Social Work and the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies.

Goldman previously taught at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati and was historian in residence at the Jewish Women’s Archive in Brookline, Massachusetts. She is the author of Beyond the Synagogue Gallery: Finding a Place for Women in American Judaism (Harvard Univeristy Press).

Kristina Riemer serves as the program manager for the Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP) at the School of Social Work. Riemer joined JCLP in June 2025, following two years as a student services coordinator in the College of LSA, where she supported both graduate and undergraduate students in a humanities department. She holds a BS in psychology from the University of Nebraska and a master's in education from the University of Missouri, and brings a diverse professional background that includes high school science teaching and IT recruiting. Riemer is passionate about student well-being, building connections, and fostering an environment of clear communication and support. Outside of work, she enjoys kayaking, reading fantasy novels, spending time with her two cats and relaxing with a cup of herbal tea.